- Main symptoms of vegetative state
- What is the difference from coma
- Is the vegetative state curable?
- Main causes of vegetative state
- How the treatment is done
The vegetative state happens when a person is awake, but is not conscious and also does not have any kind of voluntary movement, therefore, failing to understand or interact with what is going on around them. Thus, although it is common for a person in a vegetative state to open his eyes, it is usually just an involuntary reaction of the body, not being controlled by his own will.
This condition usually arises when there is a very marked decrease in brain function, which is only sufficient to maintain involuntary movements, such as breathing and heartbeat. Thus, although external stimuli, such as sounds, continue to reach the brain, the person cannot interpret them and, therefore, has no reaction.
The vegetative state is more common in people who have suffered extensive brain damage, as in the most severe cases of blows to the head, brain tumor or stroke, for example.
Main symptoms of vegetative state
In addition to the lack of awareness and inability to interact with what is around him, the person in a vegetative state may also show other signs such as:
- Open and close your eyes during the day; Slow eye movements; Chew or swallow, other than during the meal; Produce small sounds or moans; Tighten your muscles when you hear a very loud sound or cause skin pain; Tear production.
This type of movement happens due to primitive reactions in the human body, but they are often confused by voluntary movements, especially by relatives of the affected person, which can lead to the belief that the person has gained consciousness and is no longer in the vegetative state.
What is the difference from coma
The main difference between the coma and the vegetative state is that in the coma the person does not appear to be awake and, therefore, there is no opening of the eyes or involuntary movements such as yawning, smiling or making small sounds.
Understand more about the coma and what happens to the person during this period.
Is the vegetative state curable?
In some cases the vegetative state is curable, especially when it has lasted for less than a month and has a reversible cause, such as intoxication, for example. However, when the vegetative state is caused by damage to the brain or lack of oxygen, healing can be more difficult and is often even impossible.
Usually, doctors consider that healing is possible when the vegetative state has lasted for less than 1 month, if there has been no trauma to the head, or last for less than 12 months, when there has been a blow.
If the vegetative state continues for more than 6 months, it is usually considered to be a persistent or permanent vegetative state, and the more time that passes, the less the chance of a cure. In addition, after 6 months, even if the person recovers, it is very likely that they will have severe sequelae, such as difficulty speaking, walking or understanding.
Main causes of vegetative state
The causes of the vegetative state are usually related to injuries or changes in the functioning of the brain, so they can include:
- Strong blows to the head; Accidents or serious falls; Cerebral hemorrhage; Aneurysm or stroke; Brain tumor.
In addition, neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, also alter the correct functioning of the brain and, therefore, although it is more rare, they can also be at the base of the vegetative state.
How the treatment is done
There is no specific treatment for the vegetative state and, therefore, the treatment must always be adapted to the type of symptoms that each person presents, as well as to the causes that were at the origin of the vegetative state. Thus, if there are cerebral hemorrhages, they must be stopped, if there is an intoxication, it must be combated, for example.
In addition, it is necessary to replace the person in the vital tasks he is unable to do, such as eating, hydrating and bathing, for example. Thus, almost all patients in a vegetative state must be admitted to the hospital, to be fed directly into the vein and have their hygiene care done daily.
In some cases, especially when there is a high likelihood that the person will recover, the doctor may also advise passive physical therapy, in which a physical therapist regularly moves the patient's arms and legs to prevent the muscles from degrading and to maintain functional joints.
